Stimson wants stars to enjoy day
Gillingham boss Mark Stimson is more concerned with the league than the FA Cup - but he wants his side to enjoy their game against Aston Villa.Stimson takes on a top-flight team for the first time in his fledgling managerial career when Villa visit Priestfield, but he insists he would much rather be leading his team in a league match.
The Gills have netted a £160,000 pay-day by earning the televised tie with Martin O'Neill's men and while Stimson is pleased with the windfall, his main priority this season remains winning promotion from League Two.
He said: "This game is great for the club and the players.
"I probably wish we had a league game because that's the most important thing for me.
"That is what we're going to be judged on this season rather than our FA Cup performances.
"But it has helped financially and it gives the players an opportunity to play live on national TV and show how good they are."
Stimson, 41, took over at Priestfield in November 2007 having cut his teeth in the non-leagues with Grays and Stevenage, and he admits the success opposite number O'Neill has enjoyed in his career inspires him.
O'Neill took Wycombe out of the Conference before moving to Norwich, Leicester,and now Villa, where he has created one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League.
Stimson added: "You take the big four away and this is the most talked about team in the country and rightly so because potentially they could achieve a hell of a lot, with a fantastic manager.
"He is someone I've got a lot of time for because he started off where I started off and that's what I'm looking to do one day is try and compete at the highest level and he's been through it, he's done it so it is possible."
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